From University Lab to Critical Defense Supplier

About Jonathan Rowntree

Jonathan Rowntree brings three decades of materials commercialization experience to his role as CEO of Niron Magnetics. His background spans scaling technologies across consumer electronics, industrial applications, automotive, and defense sectors. Before joining Niron in 2022, Rowntree led global businesses and specialized in taking new material technologies from development to market-scale production. His experience includes both successful ventures and instructive failures in solar thermal materials and heat transfer applications. Rowntree describes his 30-year career as an "apprenticeship" that prepared him to tackle the unique challenges of scaling breakthrough magnet technology during a critical geopolitical moment.

About Niron Magnetics

Founded in 2013 and spun out of University of Minnesota research, Niron Magnetics has developed the world's most powerful rare earth-free permanent magnet using iron nitride technology. The company's breakthrough material delivers 2.4 Tesla magnetic strength compared to 1.4 Tesla for traditional rare earth magnets, while using abundant materials (iron and nitrogen) that can be sourced anywhere. Niron has raised over $150 million in development funding and secured strategic investments from automotive OEMs (GM, Stellantis), tier-one suppliers (Magna, Allison), and technology companies (Samsung). The company serves multiple markets including audio, industrial motors, automotive, and defense applications. Their first commercial manufacturing facility breaks ground in fall 2025 in Minnesota, with plans for global expansion to meet tripling demand by 2030.

For more Crossing the Valley: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossing-the-valley

For more on Niron: https://www.nironmagnetics.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.valleycrossers.com